Solar Power Quiz: Explore Photovoltaic Cells, Csp, And More

The correct answer is "Photovoltaics (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)." Photovoltaic technology uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, while Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a small area to generate heat, which is then converted into electricity. Both PV and CSP are essential technologies for harnessing solar energy for power generation.

The correct answer is "Thermoelectric." Thermoelectric devices, also known as "thermovoltaic" devices, convert a temperature difference between two different materials into an electric current. This process is based on the Seebeck effect, where a voltage is generated in response to a temperature gradient across the materials. Solar pioneer Augustin Mouchout proposed using thermoelectric devices in the 1800s as a way to store solar energy by converting excess heat into electricity.

The correct answer is "Solar tower." A solar tower, also known as a central receiver system, uses a large field of mirrors (heliostats) to concentrate sunlight onto a central receiver located at the top of a tower. The concentrated sunlight generates extremely high temperatures, which are used to produce steam that drives a turbine to generate electricity. Solar towers are a type of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology and are highly effective for large-scale electricity generation due to their ability to achieve high efficiencies and store thermal energy for continuous power supply.

Solar thermal technologies utilize solar energy to generate heat, which can be used for various applications, including water heating, space heating, space cooling, and process heat generation. Solar collectors, such as flat-plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors, and parabolic troughs, absorb solar radiation and convert it into heat energy. This heat can be used directly for heating water in residential or commercial buildings, providing space heating, or cooling spaces using absorption chillers. Additionally, solar thermal energy is utilized in industrial processes that require high-temperature heat, such as chemical manufacturing or food processing.

MIT's Solar House #1, constructed in 1939, was a pioneering project in solar energy that employed seasonal thermal storage for year-round heating. The house was designed to collect solar heat during the summer months and store it in insulated water tanks for use during the winter. This method allowed the house to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year without relying on conventional heating systems. The Solar House #1 demonstrated the potential of solar energy for sustainable residential heating and paved the way for future advancements in solar thermal technologies.

The correct answer is "Solar bowl." The Solar Kitchen in Auroville, India, utilizes a solar bowl, a type of concentrating solar technology. This system features a large, stationary spherical reflector that focuses sunlight along a line. A computer-controlled receiver moves to intersect this focal line, where it captures concentrated sunlight. The focused light generates high temperatures, producing steam that can reach up to 150 °C. The steam is then used for cooking and other heating processes in the kitchen, making it an effective application of solar energy for community use.

The correct answer is "Solar distillation." Solar distillation is a process that uses solar energy to purify saline or brackish water, making it potable. This method involves evaporating water using solar heat and then condensing the vapor to collect clean water, leaving behind salts and impurities. Solar stills, such as single-slope, double-slope, and multi-wick designs, can be used for this purpose. The technique was first documented by Arab alchemists in the 16th century and can operate in passive, active, or hybrid modes, depending on the setup.

The correct answer is "Parabolic dish." A parabolic dish is a type of concentrating solar technology that uses a parabolic-shaped reflector to focus sunlight onto a central receiver. This design allows for the concentration of solar energy onto a small area, generating high temperatures that can be used for various applications, such as generating electricity, heating water, or even cooking. The parabolic dish is highly efficient in capturing and focusing sunlight, making it a powerful device for solar heat processing.

The correct answer is "Photovoltaic." A solar cell, also known as a photovoltaic (PV) cell, converts light directly into electricity using the photoelectric effect. This effect occurs when photons from sunlight strike a semiconductor material (such as silicon), causing electrons to be released and flow as an electric current. PV cells are the building blocks of solar panels and are widely used to generate electricity for homes, businesses, and utility-scale solar power plants.

The correct answer is "Solar trough." A solar trough is a type of solar concentrator that uses a linear parabolic reflector to focus sunlight onto a receiver located along the reflector's focal line. The reflector tracks the sun's movement along a single axis throughout the day to maximize the amount of sunlight captured. The concentrated sunlight heats a fluid in the receiver, which can then be used to generate electricity or for other thermal applications. Solar troughs are commonly used in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.